Former Top-Ranking Council Officials Pass Away

Two of the West’s former high ranking town council officials have passed away.

Former Nadi Town Council mayor Dr Abdul Gani passed away over the weekend at Aspen Hospital in Lautoka.

Former Lautoka City Council chief executive Office Pusp Raj passed away at his son’s home in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday.

DR ABDUL GANI Dr Gani died after living with Parkinson’s disease for a long period.

He was 59 years old.

He was a dentist by profession and a retired captain with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

He joined the civil service in 1989 and served at the Labasa Divisional Hospital CWM Hospital, Valelevu Health Centre and Sigatoka Hospital.

In the 90s he served as a town councillor in the Namaka district as deputy chairman of health, market, and parks for Nadi.

Former Nadi Town Council Special Administrator Chair Lawrence Kumar said Dr Gani had a heart for service.

“He was involved in a lot of work and association including the township of Nadi,” he said.

Dr Gani is the brother of Sheik Rasid (Mansoor), Amina Bi, Abdul Kalam, and Abdal Asa.

He is survived by his de facto partner, four children, and three grandchildren.

The Janaza was held at Enamanu Cemetery on Monday.

Service:

• Former member of the Fiji Junior Chamber (Jaycees) since 1990 and served as the national president.
• A former member and president of the Fiji Muslim Youth move[1]ment and Sigatoka Muslim Sports association
• Served with the National Road Safety Council since 1996 and served as the president of Nadi District Council.
• Serves as assistant secretary of the Fiji Dental Association
• A member of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces and served with UNIFIL in Lebanon and currently a member of the Territorial Force, with the rank of Captain.
• He was a patron of Nadi Football Association and a patron of Nadi Bula Festival Association.
• He was a Justice of Peace in the year 2022.

PUSP RAJ

Meanwhile, Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association president Narayan Reddy said the late Mr Raj was a man of charity who did a lot of great things for the council.

Sugar Festival Association senior vice president Hem Raj said the late Mr Raj was a dedicated community worker.

“He was a down-to-earth man and committed to his work,” Mr Raj said.

“He even taught us how to run the association while he was the senior vice president for 15 years before he became the president for five years.

“We pray that God will give his family peace and strength at this difficult time,” he said.

Nirbhay Chand, younger brother of the late Mr Raj, said there were seven siblings in their family and he (Mr Raj) was the eldest.

“He taught me a lot of things as my eldest brother, we will miss him a lot and we know that his funeral will be a big one because a lot of people knew him and because of the work he did in the community.”

The late Mr Raj was 73 years old.

His body will be brought back to Fiji where the funeral arrangements would follow.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and four grandchildren.

Achievements:

• Chief Scouts Commendation in 1990,
• Life Governor for the Apex Fiji and International in 1991,
• 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal recipient in 1995,
• Ambassador for Peace at the Universal Peace Federation,
• Justice of Peace in 2001, Commissioner of Oaths in 2013
• Member of the Order of Fiji in October of 2015.

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